May 2018 – Jen's Orbital Platform

Having served in the military and having lived in various parts of the country, I have accumulated a diverse group of friends on social media. Prior to the election in November of 2016 my newsfeed was filled with pictures of food, adventures, and family time with the occasional political post or news article. Generally everyone was polite and friendly with little to no trolling. I miss those days.

Since the election of the 45^th U.S. president things have gotten rather chaotic every morning when I sit down to scroll through my newsfeed. The first half of 2017 I felt like I had to “suit up” and engage in debate with people I used to have little to no interaction with outside the occasional “Like”. Thankfully things have slowly returned to a new normal. It isn’t quite the “flowers and butterflies” of before but it has become manageable.

There are always political posts from people with varying opinions, news articles about the latest tweet or scandal. But there are also recipes and family pictures to make up for it. I don’t feel like I have to armor up to see what my friends are up to. Yet there are a few people out there whose new “normal” make it very difficult for me to stay engaged.

I ultimately had to unfriend someone on Facebook. I’m a fairly tolerant individual and I like to hear good arguments about both sides of an issue before I weigh in. I know I may come to a discussion with my own preconceptions but I make a concerted effort to set them aside when I engage with someone who has a different point of view. I respect anyone who does the same. What I cannot abide is someone who frequently posts false or misleading information than refuses to discuss their position on any of it. When the volume of such vitriol begins to flood my news feed where every other post is a negative rant against a group of people simply because they look or think differently, something has to stop. Facebook has the option of blocking a person’s posts from appearing on your newsfeed for 30 days. I tried it out and suddenly it was easier to scroll my newsfeed without seeing the hate.

After 30 days and the posts began appearing again I decided an online friendship no longer worked for me. While the posts this person continued to share weren’t directed at me personally, it didn’t always feel that way since this person’s condemnation was directed at many of the issues I support. I tried numerous times to point out factual errors and I cited multiple legitimate sources to back up my position and in return no comments were made; only more garbage posts. Un- friend.

I like having a diverse group of friends with ideas different than my own. It keeps me honest and it keeps me thinking. When a conservative friend of mine shares an article or makes a statement on an issue I listen and try to see it from their point of view even if it’s one I don’t share. So please, dear social media friends, be thoughtful in what you share especially if you know it might be hurtful or offensive to some of your friends. We are friends after all.

End Transmission

About the time I was 11 years old I was introduced to the world of Star Trek, specifically Star Trek: The Next Generation. I’d been a space case since the second grade devouring all kinds of books on planets and stars but science fiction was a new frontier. Before long I was hooked! I couldn’t get enough. I got in so much trouble staying up late to not only record the episodes as they aired but watch them as well. I imagined what I would do when faced with their dilemmas. What kind of advice would I give? Would I charge the Klingons or turn tail and run? Could I fix the engines better than LaForge? I dreamed of serving aboard the USS Enterprise (literally) and it was kind of a cruel joke when my dreams came true during my time in the Navy. As a Trek fan it was awesome to say I served on the Enterprise, as a nuclear operator it sucked!

Early in my naval career I was often lectured about duty, honor, and integrity. I didn’t need these lectures as Captain Picard had already taught me the value in telling the truth even when it could get my friends in trouble (Episode: The First Duty). With every encounter when dealing with hostile aliens, Picard approached the situation calmly and diplomatically. He never reached for the phaser first. If there was a peaceful way out of a situation, Picard always found it.

I never realized how profound that lesson was until I was an adult. Growing up it fit the narrative my teachers, parents, and church leaders taught me; to seek peace instead of violence, to turn the other cheek. Picard became my litmus test when facing difficult decisions. Not only did I compare what I believed Picard’s decisions would have been relative to my own, I also looked to others, particularly those in leadership positions. Whether they were my superiors in the Navy or political leaders, I viewed them next to what I call the “Picard Standard”. It’s a high bar of excellence for sure but the objective is to strive to reach it.

When I look at leaders today, particularly those in politics, my “Picard Standard” seems so unreachable by those highest in power. The strive for excellence has been replaced by greed and what would playout the quickest in a news cycle. Political expediency has replaced what is best for the average American.

Would Picard make fun of a disabled person to win a few laughs? No. Would Picard solve an immigration issue by ripping children away from their parents as a deterrent? No. Would Picard antagonize world leadership? Ignore scientific evidence? Dismiss those who have a different point of view or perspective? No.

Now there may be some of you who think this standard is unreachable, unattainable. After all Picard was a fictional character in a TV show and the real world is a much messier place compared to the utopia of the 24^th century. If you asked a caveman about walking on the moon, he’d tell you it’s impossible. The average American colonist didn’t think democracy was possible until a handful of young rebels made it happen in 1776. Mankind has the unique ability to make the impossible possible and to deny possibilities does us a disservice. When shit hits the fan we must resist the urges of basic instinct and find a better way. It’s easy to pick up a weapon and destroy your enemy but making friends with your enemy is far more rewarding. It’s what Captain Picard would do.

In these difficult times, the character of those we put in office is more important than ever. A man who speaks simply and tells you what you want to hear may not be the best candidate for president. Men and women who cater only to the wealthy, who are unwilling to consider what is best for all Americans aren’t suited for the Senate or House of Representatives. Anyone who offers a quick and simple solution to complex problems lacks the intelligence and understanding required for public service. If the problems facing our country could be solved quickly and easily, they wouldn’t be problems.

I’m not sure anyone could truly measure up to Jean-Luc Picard but we the people must hold our leadership accountable. Bad behavior must be punished and good men and women deserve the chance to make a positive difference. But it’s not just leaders who need to be accountable. Each of us should strive for the Picard Standard. Would Picard make that comment on Facebook? Would Picard put off a tough conversation hoping the problem would resolve itself? Would Picard wait for his turn to talk in a heated conversation or actively listen to the person with a different opinion?

When faced with a decision and you’re tempted to take the easy way ask yourself, “What would Captain Picard do?”

End Transmission

Month: May 2018

What Would Captain Picard Do?